Maidstone Grammar School Barton Road , ME15 7BT

Telephone: (01622) 752101 M Tomkins BSc NPQH Facsimile: (01622) 753680 Headmaster Website: www.mgs.kent.sch.uk E-Mail: [email protected]

I would like to thank you for your interest in the Deputy Head position at Maidstone Grammar School. Maidstone Grammar School is a thriving school that performs both well academically and in a wide range of extracurricular activities, and was acknowledged very recently in an inspection judging the school to be Outstanding for a second consecutive time. The school’s traditions and culture are incredibly important and it has been an honour and a privilege being the Headmaster since joining the School in September 2012. I have established the future vision and direction for the school and have summarised it into four key areas: community, a place for learning, a place to feel safe and supported and a community within a community which can be found on the school website.

In the summer of 2013, MGS achieved excellent GCSE results with just under 50% of all subject entries being graded at A* or A grade. 99% of students gained 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English and 60% of student gaining 5 or more A* grades. We also achieved very high A Level results with just under 60% of all exam entries being graded at A* to B grade and more than one in three results were A or A*.

Maidstone Grammar School also champions the development of service and leadership amongst its students and we desire that they all learn to make a difference in the world with their considerable skills and talents. The extracurricular opportunities at the school are many and varied and we would expect the successful candidate to add to or support those.

Currently the SLT consists of myself, two Deputy Heads, three Assistant Heads, the School Business Manager and my PA. This vacancy arises due to one of the present deputy heads being successful in gaining a Headship elsewhere. I wish to continue developing the capacity of the SLT and it is my intention the newly appointed Deputy Head has specific responsibility for student and staff development and having strategic oversight of the lower school (Years 7 to 10) but this may vary based on the skills of the successful candidate (job description for this role enclosed). They would also oversee the work of two Assistant Heads who have responsibility for the teaching and learning and the pastoral welfare of those year groups.

The successful candidate should have an exemplary record as a leader and a team player and be held in the highest regard at their current school. It goes without saying that candidates should be excellent classroom practitioners with an academic profile which befits the school. It is likely candidates will be seeking Headship in due course. We are also seeking candidates who have significant experience in both academic and pastoral leadership and expect the candidate to have had much impact at a whole school level. In terms of experience, it is important that candidates have managed the performance of fellow teachers and preferably support staff as well as contributed to successfully planned and implemented change. As a person specification I am looking for someone with integrity, commitment, ambition but most of all credibility.

If you wish to apply please complete the application form provided, together with a letter of application which should be no longer than two sides of A4. In your letter you should outline: any relevant experience to date, your thoughts and values relating to this position and what personally attracts you to this school. In addition, we would appreciate your thoughts (limited to one side of A4) on any one of the four key aspects of the school’s vision and direction. Please return your application by the closing date of Friday 24 January 2014 at midday. Interviews will be held on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th February 2014. M. Tomkins Headmaster